Kodiak
Icame here today because my sister texted me that some creeper was bothering Marnie. What I didn’t expect was to walk in and see my girl being cornered by said prick.
The fear in her eyes hits me as soon as she looks my way, and the beast that lives just under the surface is ready to rip this punk’s arms off and beat him with them.
Olympia walking over and asking me to pick her up is exactly what I need to calm my nerves. But I also need that anger to deal with this fucker. I kiss her softly on her cheek, and she giggles as my beard tickles her face.
“Beauté,can you do me a favor?” I ask, and she nods her head and smiles. “This is my friend Icarus. He’s going to show you something cool while I help Mommy get her new alarm set up.”
I look over as Marnie’s spine straightens. She’s going to fight me on this, but I don’t mind using Oly to my advantage. Icarus walks over and holds out his arms. Oly lays her head on my shoulder, and something deep inside me clicks. I’m meant to protect this precious little girl. She and her momma need me.
“Hello, Oly, right?” Icarus holds out his big hand to her. “I’m Icarus, do you know what this is?”
He pulls a doll from his pocket, and I stare at him in shock. Where did he come up with that?
“This is Roxy. She belongs to a special person, but she told me you could play with her for the day. Do you want to play with her?”
Oly nods her head and practically jumps for him.
“Okay, while Momma and Kodiak talk, you can play with Roxy. I’ll show you what she can do.” He holds out his hand for her to take the doll, then opens his arms. She lets him take her, and Marnie comes around the counter.
“Where are you taking her?” Panic laces her voice.
“Just over here,” Icarus says, carrying Oly to a table and sitting down with her.
He’s not awkward at all holding her, and I remember the secret only a couple of us know. It’s why he’s so comfortable with a child. I bet this doll belonged to Eve when she was younger.
“It’s okay, sugar.” I pull Marnie into my side.
The guy looks between the two of us. “Is this your boyfriend? I thought you just moved here.”
“He’s my friend, Jim,” Marnie says.
“Getting there,” I say at the same time.
“Kodiak and I just met a couple of weeks ago at my grand opening,” Marnie says, deflecting the answer away from us being together.
“It was instant,” I add. “Thank you for keeping an eye on my girl for me. I hear you live in the same building.”
He bristles at that. Marnie starts to pull away, but I grip her hip, and she settles, finally understanding what I’m doing. She fits perfectly against me, and for a moment, I wonder what it would be like to always have her in my arms.
“Yeah, instant,” she says as she lays her head against my chest.
“Well then, I guess that answers my question about going out. Have a nice day.” Jim turns and leaves without buying anything.
I wait until he’s in his car and out of sight before I release her.
“Thank you. Hopefully, he’ll take the hint and leave me alone now.”
“Anything, sugar. Now I’m going to have these guys check out places to install the new security system.”
I look over at Icarus, who is showing Oly how Roxy can do stunts on a snowboard. “She better not attempt that the first time we get her on a board,” I tell him. He just chuckles and keeps playing dolls with her.
Wing walks over, and I introduce him to Marnie. He doesn’t shake her hand but just nods at her.
“Be nice, Wing,” I tell him, and he turns back to her.
“Nice to meet you, Marnie. I’m not very talkative,” he says, and I nod in agreement. “You’ve got some serious security flaws. Only one lock on the front door, no glass-break sensors on the windows, and you should have a motion detector for when you’re closed.”
